A Painful Identity

Episode 82 May 17, 2023 00:36:45
A Painful Identity
Energy in Action by MitoAction
A Painful Identity

May 17 2023 | 00:36:45

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Show Notes

PARENTS AS RARE - EPISODE 083

A Painful Identity - Renuka Dhinakaran

 

Renuka Dhinakaran is an international labor lawyer, mom, chronic illness patient and an incredible patient advocate. 



EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

 

Will you start with sharing about yourself?

I'm 38 years old, married and living in the Netherlands, originally from India. I have a son who is 10 years old and I'm an international lawyer with my own law practice. I had a wonderful life until 4 years ago when chronic illness became the new normal for me. 

 

Where did your chronic condition journey start?

I was a premature baby and I was sick a lot as a child. I remember being in pain quite often and as a teenager was diagnosed with PCOS and endometriosis. I was later diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The turning point was my pregnancy when I suffered with back pain. After I gave birth, I was told I had degenerative disc disease and a pelvic dislocation. I went on to develop anxiety, hypertension, asthma, gallstones, allergies, migraines and arthritis. 

 

What's your advice for parenting with chronic illness?

I learned the hard way to erase guilt from my vocabulary. I have also learned to pick my lane. I'm in charge of overseeing my son's health and academics. His father handles logistics, sports and activities. The best suggestion I have for parents with chronic illness is to pick one lane where you can contribute, even on your bad days, that no one else can do. Acceptance and commitment therapy has also been helpful to accept the way things are, figuring out a plan and committing to it. 




LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED

Renuka Dhinakaran on Twitter

https://twitter.com/renudhinakaran

A Painful Identity

https://www.apainfulidentity.com/



FOLLOW ADAM JOHNSON

Twitter @RareDiseaseDad

https://twitter.com/rarediseasedad 

Instagram @RareDiseaseDad 

https://www.instagram.com/rarediseasedad/

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-johnson-8a1473125

 

CONNECT WITH MITOACTION

Website

https://www.mitoaction.org/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/mitoaction

Twitter

https://twitter.com/mitoaction

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/mitoaction/

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/mitoaction



View Full Transcript

Episode Transcript

PARENTS AS RARE - EPISODE 082 A Painful Identity - Renuka Dhinakaran Renuka Dhinakaran is an international labor lawyer, mom, chronic illness patient and an incredible patient advocate. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Will you start with sharing about yourself? I'm 38 years old, married and living in the Netherlands, originally from India. I have a son who is 10 years old and I'm an international lawyer with my own law practice. I had a wonderful life until 4 years ago when chronic illness became the new normal for me. Where did your chronic condition journey start? I was a premature baby and I was sick a lot as a child. I remember being in pain quite often and as a teenager was diagnosed with PCOS and endometriosis. I was later diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The turning point was my pregnancy when I suffered with back pain. After I gave birth, I was told I had degenerative disc disease and a pelvic dislocation. I went on to develop anxiety, hypertension, asthma, gallstones, allergies, migraines and arthritis. What's your advice for parenting with chronic illness? I learned the hard way to erase guilt from my vocabulary. I have also learned to pick my lane. I'm in charge of overseeing my son's health and academics. His father handles logistics, sports and activities. The best suggestion I have for parents with chronic illness is to pick one lane where you can contribute, even on your bad days, that no one else can do. Acceptance and commitment therapy has also been helpful to accept the way things are, figuring out a plan and committing to it. LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED Renuka Dhinakaran on Twitter https://twitter.com/renudhinakaran A Painful Identity https://www.apainfulidentity.com/ FOLLOW ADAM JOHNSON Twitter @RareDiseaseDad https://twitter.com/rarediseasedad Instagram @RareDiseaseDad https://www.instagram.com/rarediseasedad/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-johnson-8a1473125 CONNECT WITH MITOACTION Website https://www.mitoaction.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mitoaction Twitter https://twitter.com/mitoaction Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mitoaction/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/mitoaction

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